I learned so much through listening to this book. It was informational yet it had enough of a storyline to keep me gripped. I have read a lot of WW2 fiction and this book proves I still have so much to learn from that tragic time.

I really wanted to like Sisters in Science, but unfortunately, it didn’t work for me, making it a disappointing read. Since I listened to the audiobook, I struggled to stay focused, especially when the narrative became heavy with scientific details. I know that’s the whole point of the book, but I found it difficult to stay engaged.

I think I personally do better with historical fiction that weaves in real events, allowing me to absorb the story first and then learn the facts afterward. With this book, I had a hard time keeping my attention on the content, which made it feel like a chore to get through.

I appreciate the opportunity to have listened to this as an ARC audiobook from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

The information in the book was good, the women featured were amazing, their struggles to just survive and get out of Germany was commendable, and I'm glad I know about them. It definitely is so sad, yet impressive how much women of the past had to get thru in a male-dominated and discriminatory landscape in history. We definitely should know more of them, and I wish we could recognize not just them, but so many women who made such impacts but were never recognized.

That being said, the book itself was just so detailed and had so much going on, it was really hard to stay invested, and ultimately I kept losing interest. Outside of their brilliance in science in similar fields most of the time there was not crossover between the 4 women's stories. I had anticipated the "sisters" part of that meant that they literally worked together and had collaboration but typically they did not. Some didn't intersect with each other at all (unless I missed that for lack of focus). It was essentially 4 different women's stories going back and forth constantly during the book which, besides being extremely detail-heavy as mentioned, was really hard to keep track of who was who or what was going on.

To be honest, when I requested the book, I thought it was a historical fiction based on real stories because the cover was a graphic image, which I don't think I've ever seen on a nonfiction, so also a little frustrating at the lack of focused attention in the marketing/writing. Again, I'm glad I know about these women that I probably never would have heard of otherwise, as so many women in the sciences or just in advancement in general during the time period, as well as what they went thru to get out of Germany during WW2, but I just felt like it tried to do too much all at once.

Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy of this audiobook. All opinions are mine.

I listened to the audiobook and the narration was well done. I loved the dedication for the book and it was a great opening that set the tone for the book. Though I’m not an expert, I thought I knew a lot about Nazi Germany, WWII, and the Holocaust, but I learned so many things from this book! I love reading about women of WWII and a lot of time it is the spies, the underground and the code breakers I have read about so learning more about the scientists was incredibly interesting and enlightening. The book was clearly well research and I appreciated the primary sources. It’s incredibly informative and paints a very detailed picture of what women academics were facing in the 1930s-40s, worldwide but particularly in Germany. These extraordinary women already faced so much discrimination and challenges merely due to misogyny and sexism, but of course everything became that much worse once the Nazis took power. The book specifically follows the stories of Hedwig Kohn, Lise Meitner, Hertha Sponer, and Hildegard Stücklen, who all had to eventually flee Nazi Germany and eventually settle in the United States due to being Jewish (or having Jewish ancestry), simply being women in academia, or being anti-Nazi. They lost their personal and professional connections, at least to a certain degree, and all experienced setbacks in their careers due to this forced exile. I would love to read more about these women’s lives and accomplishments, because while this book did make me interested to know more. I think each woman could have their own book. The science behind their discoveries and accomplishments to truly demonstrate just how brilliant and groundbreaking the four women’s work was. But…it was a lot I like science. And found appreciative I was listening to the audiobook, or I might have skimmed those sections a bit more. I really enjoyed the book and think students would like it too. A young reader's version would be wonderful.
Thanks to NetGalley for the audiobook to preview.

Olivia Campbell does a wonderful job of walking you through the lives of four pioneering women of physics, Hedwig Kohn, Lise Meitner, Hertha Sponer and Hildegard Stücklen, as they deal with the rise of Hitler in the 1930's. She weaves their stories together in a compelling and thoughtful way and evens throws in some basic science lessons. It was a very interesting listen and Cassandra Campbell did a lovely job of narration!

This book is aptly titled. It is about four female physicists working in Germany when the Nazis come to power. It chronicles the challenges of being a woman scientist, their achievements, and how and when they flee the country.

I thought the narrator had a great voice.

I always love learning about lady scientists because they are so often ignored by historians. The way the book was organized was interesting. Though it bounced between each of the four women, which was occasionally confusing because three of them start with the letter H, an excellent inclusion was the chapters in between their main stories that kept the reader apprised what was happening in the world while these women were living their everyday lives, like the “Civil Service” Law that was enacted by the Nazis and the change in immigration policies in the U.S post World War I.

What was depressing (but super important to acknowledge) are the parallels between Nazi Germany and the U.S. right now. The author including the fates of scientists (both women and men), who were not able to get out of Nazi-occupied territory was also important because though this book focuses on four women who survived, so many did not.

I definitely cried reading about the egregious and unnecessary loss of human life (which is pretty well known and documented). What was also emotionally moving, but for different reasons, was learning that before the Nazis got ahold of Germany, they were considered THE place to be a scientist. Because of the Nazis, they lost most of their scientists, but ALL of their reputation. What an informative read.

This book provides a look at the struggle and terrifying reality faced by women of science when Nazis took over Germany. Focusing on four women the book follows documents their lives from the struggle to obtain degrees and positions to having them ripped away when the Nazis came to power to the struggle to escape Germany. and begin new positions. Their escapes to safety seems like something out of the movies. Well written and interesting it is an important book that shares facts and information about often overlooked women in the sciences. and their contributions. I listened to the audio and the narrator did a good job sharing the information and keeping my attention.

DNF at around 75%. I was so excited to read this but I just could not connect. There was so much science in the story that I was skipping through all of those parts. I’m a science nerd but I don’t want to read about experiments when I wanted to read about the history. Just not for me.

Sisters in Science is the story of four women (Hedwig Kohn, Lise Meitner, Hertha Sponer and Hildegard Stucklen) who fled the Nazis in order to both save their lives and pursue their passion in science in a time when many academics were on the run from Hitler. The story weaves both the historical backgrounds and the women's contributions to their fields seamlessly. As a listener, it was easy to understand the environment they lived in, and the significant impact of their contributions. I found myself interested in researching the topic more, while also being simultaneously disturbed at the realities of the time period and the similiarities of things taking place in today's world to shun the accomplishments of women or keep them in old world gender roles. I found the story immensely interesting and the narrator was engaging and easy to listen to. I found myself transported into the story. The author did a great job of keeping the story easy to understand, given the scientific elements that needed to be included. I did not find myself drifting off at the topic of atoms or spectroscopy, etc. I recommend this book. even if only to learn from the past. We must not repeat it and continue fighting for progress.

Sisters in Science by Olivia Campbell is the story of how Hedwig Kohn, Lise Meitner, Hertha Sponer and Hildegard Stucklen fled the Nazis in order to peruse their passion in science and saves their lives. Olivia Campbell weaves the historical background for their stories and their contributions to their fields in a seamless tapestry that allows the listener to easily understand not only the historical and social environment they lived in, but also allow the listener to understand the immense impact of their contributions. The narrator Cassandra Campbell keeps the listeners thoroughly engaged. I hope all women aspiring to work in STEM fields, or currently working in these fields get an opportunity to listen to this biography and share these stores to inspire women to continue working in STEM fields.

Thank you to Harlequin Audio for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook. My Opinions are my own.

Sisters in Science is a wonderfully researched and inspiring novel that beautifully weaves a tale of friendship, perseverance, and strength amidst the horrors of World War II and the pervasive misogyny faced by women across the globe. The story follows three brilliant women whose passion for science binds them together as they navigate a world that constantly underestimates them. Against all odds, some of them make groundbreaking discoveries that change the world, leaving an indelible mark on history.

As someone who wouldn’t typically call themselves a “science person,” I was pleasantly surprised by how approachable this story was. It struck the perfect balance—providing just enough scientific detail to enhance the narrative without overwhelming the reader. The focus remained on the compelling personal journeys of the characters, making their achievements feel relatable and deeply inspiring.

In addition to the incredible story of resilience, I was struck by how much I learned about the xenophobia and anti-Semitism present in America during this period. The novel doesn’t shy away from showing the harsh realities of prejudice that existed not only abroad but also on American soil.

This novel is not only a tribute to the brilliance of women who defied societal norms but also a powerful exploration of friendship, hope, and the fight for justice. I highly recommend Sisters in Science to anyone interested in historical fiction, women’s stories, or thought-provoking narratives about perseverance in the face of bigotry and hate.

Clear, concise storyline. Great over our king connection between female scientists and what’s going on in the world. Between war, genocide, sexism and being used as secretaries, and never given the full credit even when earned these women overcame significant odds. We’re almost everything was working against them.

Olivia Campbell’s Sisters in Science: How Women Scientists Changed the World is a powerful and inspiring tribute to the often-overlooked women who have shaped the history of science. Through meticulously researched stories of trailblazers in science highlights their groundbreaking contributions while humanizing their struggles against societal barriers. The book is both a celebration of their resilience and a call to recognize the collaborative networks of women who supported and uplifted one another. Accessible and engaging, Sisters in Science not only honors these pioneers but also underscores the ongoing need for equity in STEM, making it a must-read for anyone passionate about history, science, or gender equality.

Sisters in Science is a true story about four women scientists and their escape from Germany during WWII. These women were trailblazers. At a time when women studying, teaching and working as scientists was either unheard of or uncommon, these women persisted in their academic studies and went on to make valuable contributions in the scientific community that were used as the basis for studies many years down the line.

When the Nazis came to power, women and Jews were no longer allowed to hold academic positions. Their lives in danger, these brilliant women were forced to flee Germany. With the help of friends and other members of the science community they embarked on a dangerous journey. One of the scientists, Lise Meitner made her way to Sweeden where she went on to make a groundbreaking discovery in nuclear physics. Hedwig Kohn, Hertha Sponer and Hildegard Stücklen found their way to the Unites States where they went on to be academics teaching in universities.

It was very apparent that the author did extensive research, putting in a lot of time to understand not only the historical factors but the biographies of each of the women as well as the subject of their work. For me this book was twofold. It was hard to fully understand because I am not a woman of science and never delved into the world of physics so much of that was over my head, However, I am a woman of history and appreciate the new perspective; learning about yet another way that the world was impacted by the Nazi regime,

This book shines a light on the groundbreaking fight by women to find their place in the scientific world in Germany, the harrowing escape from the Nazi regime and the strength to overcome the odds and become masters in their fields.

I would like to thank Harlequin Audio for the ARC of the audio version of this book. It was a pleasure to learn about these strong and inspirational women.

This is the story of four brilliant scientists who struggled throughout their lives to get a good education and to followed their chosen careers in Physics. They were stymied by custom, laws, and finally by the Nazis. It also laid out their struggles to remain employed and then to escape the Nazis.

I found it to be a good read and eye opening. As a scientist myself, I know that the guidance offered to young women in some fields and and the career opportunities are not as "reach for the stars" as for young men. I hadn't realized that career opportunities were limited by laws in their time. The chapters dealing specifically with the growth of the Nazi movement were frightening as I see similar restrictions and limitations happening in the US today.

There is a fair amount of science integrated into the book, as well as the biographical information of these accomplished scientists. This book might be a bit too heavy on the science for some readers, but I do think it's an excellent book for people who are interested in the fortitude, drive, and brilliant minds of some of the women who worked alongside better known men such as Einstein and Planck.

I listened to the audio version of this book. I thought the narrator was excellent, with a talent to pronounce not only foreign locations, but scientific terms.

This was SUCH an engaging book. I have read so many books about this time period, but following 4 women scientists as they escape the Nazis was new for me.

Campbell does such a great job of brining you into the stories of these women. You really feel the fear and intensity of the time, and what might have happened if these women had not been able to escape.

I also loved the narration, it was so well done.

I definitely think this is a book to check out!

What an amazing history about four women who managed to defy the odds twice - once to become established physicists at a time when very few women were permitted to achieve advanced degrees, let alone land in professor or research positions; twice to be able to escape from Nazi Germany and also be able to continue working in their field.

Its a harrowing story about the sexism these four women faced just to achieve some level of success in their field, but then their seemingly impossible attempts to get out of Germany before the Nazi's took everything from them.

One of the most moving chapters was towards the end on the women who didn't get out and the horrific ends they met at the hands of the Nazis.

A wonderful history that gave me even more respect for what women had to endure to not only be taken seriously in their field but also to fight for their lives to secure opportunities that would allow them to leave Germany.

This book tells the story of four brilliant female physicists—Hedwig Kohn, Lise Meitner, Hertha Sponer, and Hildegard Stücklen—forced to flee Nazi Germany. Their harrowing escapes and subsequent contributions to physics, despite facing discrimination, highlight the power of perseverance and scientific curiosity.

This book is less about science and more about Nazis than I expected. Compelling and compassionate, the book is thoroughly researched and brilliantly written. The audiobook narration adds to the enjoyment of the book.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

This nonfiction book documents the stories of four female scientists and their efforts to flee Germany during World War II. Honestly, the blurb makes it sound like an exciting adventure, but it doesn’t really read that way. The book follows Hedwig Kohn, Lise Meitner, Hertha Sponer, and Hildegard Stücklen. Lise ends up in Sweden, but the others eventually end up in the United States. They are all physicists with revolutionary research.

I started reading the ebook but eventually switched to the audiobook to finish. The audio is narrated by Cassandra Campbell. This is my second listen to this narrator, and I thought she did a fine job with what I found to be rather dry material.

I’ve seen a few complaints that it was too science heavy, but I didn’t find it so. At times over my head a bit, but my brother is the physicist and I’m more familiar with geology. I found the accounts confusing at times since the book jumped around between stories. While the women were all different, there were common threads of political and academic bureaucracy as well as misogyny, sexism, and racism, specifically the oppression of women as well as Jews in all of their stories, and as each individual’s experiences were related, at times, gave a strong sense of repetitiveness, also adding to my confusion.

I think these stories are important, but this may not be the one for you depending on your interests. I would recommend it to those that are interested in the history of how professional individuals and specifically women in academia went through the process of immigration or seeking refugee status during this time period.

Thank you to Netgalley, The Hive, Park Row Books, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and Harlequin Audio for a copy provided for an honest review.

While Sisters in Science features physicists and their stories very prominently, and some discussions of their scientific discoveries and work are obviously well-highlighted and briefly explained, it should be noted that this is certainly more a history than it is a physics lecture. After having recently read Reeder's The Cure for Women about the difficulties women experienced being allowed to practice medicine, I found my appetite for this work quite whetted and it did not disappoint.

While perhaps not as sweepingly cinematic as the aforementioned Cure for Women, Campbell's work makes up for that prestige HBO series feel with a more grounded and matter-of-fact story about the four women at the heart of the narrative. In this way, the book naturally alternates not just between its four central characters, but between their personal lives, their research, and the rise of the Nazi party and the reforms that saw them fleeing from their homes. While some might find this disorienting, the approach works well in my opinion to illustrate the way in which their lives - while not frequently closely intertwined - and their experiences are all so similar and yet different. It gives a certain breadth to the experiences of dealing with the flight from Nazi Germany that cannot usually be adequately communicated via a single narrative.

Some commentary and speculation in the closing chapters regarding what more might have been achieved by these women had they been allowed to continue their work uninterrupted, how much more social progress might have been achieved without the repressive regime of the Nazis, and whether we might have had a greater focus on the benevolent application of atomic power had not certain discoveries been made against the backdrop of war are also welcome as food for thought. Another sobering reminder in these chapters is that while these women escaped, their stories are ones of limited triumph; there were many, many more who did not escape before the worst including their own relatives who were put to death. Other grim reminders are that there were of course those in Germany after the fall of the Nazis who did not feel contrite in their participation with the regime and continued to espouse such terrible views until their deaths.

While the human cost should of course be first and foremost on the list of atrocities brought on by the Nazis, it is also worth considering how such bigotry and misogyny limits mankind as a whole. Doctors, physicists, chemists, prevented from continuing to further our understanding of the universe, prevented from making the next big discovery to advance our species, because they were Jewish or a woman. Genius knows no race or gender, but there are always those who would rather think themselves great by destroying others than by edifying themselves.